Under the ‘rapid pathway’ approach, which is being developed in three hospitals across West London, men have an mpMRI scan, get their results and can have any necessary biopsy, using new FUSION technology, in one day, rather than multiple outpatient visits over four to six weeks.

What is a FUSION biopsy?

A FUSION biopsy is when a man has his biopsy guided by ultrasound and the image from an mpMRI scan is overlaid on the ultrasound image to make it even more accurate.

Is this common practice?

It is not currently widely used except in more specialist centres. In time, if it is shown to have more benefit than other ways to use MRI to target biopsies, it may become more common practice.

What is the difference between a transperineal and transrectal biopsy?

A trans rectal biopsy or TRUS is done by putting a probe through the rectum so that needles can be inserted into the prostate. Ultrasound is used to guide it. A transperineal biopsy is when a sample is taken by putting a needle through the perineum (the skin between the testicles and the back passage). Both types of biopsy can be done with or without fusion and both can be made more targeted and accurate when guided by a MRI image.

Is one better than the other?

Men, in discussion with their clinician should choose the type of biopsy that is best for them. This decision can be based on the man’s preferences, but also where in the prostate a potential tumour is located. A transperineal biopsy can carry less risk of an infection and be less invasive, however it is a more specialist technique and in many centres, it requires a general anaesthetic.

Does FUSION technology need to be used for a man to benefit from an mpMRI scan before biopsy?

No. The mpMRI scan can still be used to help guide where the biopsy needle is directed, even when it is not directly fused with the ultrasound scan.

Does Prostate Cancer UK think FUSION technology and transperineal biopsy should be made more widely available so that men can experience the benefits?

This is an area which is rapidly evolving. As we learn more about the benefits of each technique and improvement and see the results of pilots and trials, we will want to see the best options made as widely implemented as possible so that men can feel the benefits.

Responding to the scheme, our Director of Support and Influencing, Heather Blake, said: “Improvements to diagnosis are crucial if we are to save more lives from prostate cancer. The benefits of having an mpMRI scan before a biopsy represent the biggest leap forward in prostate cancer diagnosis for decades. That is why we have been working with health bodies across the UK to ensure all men with suspected prostate cancer can have access to a more accurate and less invasive diagnosis.

“We are delighted that NHS England is focussing efforts on exploring how mpMRI before prostate biopsy can be implemented to make diagnosis quicker, easier and more efficient, both from the point of view of the men going through it, but also in terms of NHS resources. We want to see all health bodies across the UK provided with investment in the equipment and staffing that is needed to make mpMRI before biopsy available to men, no matter where they live.”

Writing in a blog about the news that prostate cancer is now the third biggest cancer killer, our chief executive, Angela Culhane, previously said: “We want to halve the number of men dying from prostate cancer within ten years, whatever their age, address or background and, in time, for the disease to become a chronic condition rather than a killer. We know that the wheels are already in motion to turn these statistics around. However funding for further research to improve diagnosis is crucial.

“Plans to create an accurate test fit for use as part of a nationwide prostate cancer screening programme and plans for the development of new treatments for advanced prostate cancer are already well underway. But to achieve these aims, we need to increase our investment in research. We’re calling for people to sign up to a March for Menthis summer to help raise the funds we desperately need to stop prostate cancer being a killer.”

We call on UK to step up as new figures show prostate cancer now a bigger killer than breast cancer

For the first time, more men are dying from prostate cancer each year than women are from breast cancer, making the male disease the third biggest cancer killer in the UK. We find out why and urge the public to help us raise the £120 million we need to curb the trend.